Martin starts afresh with a clean slate... (well, a recycled one)

RECYCLING is the buzzword of the new decade and an Oldham man is forging a new career for himself and his fledgling business with his green credentials.

Martin Pawley has spent 30 years in the reclamation business, buying slates and roof tiles for resale to the public and building industry.

Early last year Martin was shocked when his Stockport employer called him into the office and took away his job.

“I had a team of 10 lads I managed and we were all made redundant. I walked away with nothing except my mobile phone and all the contacts in it,” said the 47-year-old from Oldham Edge.

Not one to sit and around mope about his situation, Martin set about rebuilding his future and, with the support of a silent investor, he secured a one and half acre site in Accrington. In August he established the Lancashire Slate and Tile Company.

Five months on he has secured his largest contract to date — phase one of the Limehurst Village job to remove slates and roof tiles from 150 properties.

“Everything we remove will be recycled — that’s a cast-iron guarantee,” said Martin, adding: “The slates and roof tiles will be packed into crates and be available for sale.

“All the roofing slats will be recycled as will all the ridge tiles and cement fixings, all the waste, all the rubbish. Nothing, absolutely nothing, will go to landfill.”

Martin’s business has already completed one reclamation and recycling project in Oldham, removing slates and roof tiles from seven blocks of properties in Derker.

He is hoping that his green credentials will win him contracts for phases two and three at Limehurst Village and propel his business towards his projected first year turnover of £500,000.

“We are on target for this figure and there are only four of us at the moment. I am hoping to have 12 lads working for the business within 12 months and double turnover in year two.

“The key is getting across the point that everything can be recycled. I drove through a site in Longsight last month past 12 skips all loaded with waste materials.

“That is not the way forward — we have to recycle more and that is how I will grow this business, by being eco-friendly.”